A Detroit judge rules a Sikh kirpan, a quite wicked-looking knife, is not a weapon, any more than a Star of David is a weapon, if worn for religious purposes. The case involved a Sikh student at Wayne State University who wore the “ornamental article of faith,” as The Detroit News called it, plus a smaller knife, on campus and was arrested by the campus cops. Here’s what the judge said:
There is no question that forbidding him from wearing the kirpan imposes a burden. It would be similar to an ordinance that made it illegal to wear a cross or a Star of David.
If an adherent to some fringe religion were to claim that carrying a Glock 9mm as an “ornamental article of faith” is mandated by his religion would the judge rule similarly?
